A study of the high school principal's role in health education.

The role of the principal in secondary school health education is explored in this paper. Using the social process theory, the ideal role is developed through a review of current literature and the actual role through a survey of high school principals and health education teachers in Chicago. A consensus regarding the role functions of the principal related to school health education as perceived by principals, health education teachers and authorities in school administration was revealed. The principal's role is one of leadership related to curriculum and instruction. The physical education teacher was responsible for health education in all the schools. No consensus emerged regarding the priority of health education within the school.